Thursday, July 17, 2008

Seriously, there are so many times that I'd love to have a stunt double jump into my shoes for those "sweaty" moments in life. You've been there. You get up in the morning, the sun is just peaking and the aroma of good coffee is calling you to a moment of brilliance, but, in some wicked twist of fate, you turn around and see 3 bags of trash that haven't been taken out for the entire week. Suddenly a hint of cat litter overtakes the brewing pot of French Roast and you realize that something MUST be done. Enter the stunt double!

Just in case you're wondering, the above picture is tweaked from the movie Titanic...before it sank. :) (A good time for a stunt double, don't you think?)

In all seriousness, (cat litter excluded), I realize that me wanting a stunt double to do my sweating for me really boils down to an attitude of mind that is full of complaint. It wouldn't matter what my double did for me, it would never be enough because I would eventually tire of even the fun duties if I knew that I could run away from them. My heart attitude would continue to degenerate.

The only thing in my entire life that I truly needed done for me has already been accomplished. Christ went to the cross in my place. Thank you, God, for being my stunt double to the grave! And His Spirit remains with me to help me change the attitude of my mind and walk His way.

Working and sweating with God are good things.

Galations 6:7-8Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

I was just reading an article in a magazine published by Dallas Theological Seminary that made me stop and think. The article featured a Turkish missionary (and DTS student), Yuce Kabakci. His spiritual mentor was one of 3 christians who were slain in an attack on the publishing house that distributes Bibles in the area. Yuce recounted the experience to his fellow seminary students and stated: "When you preach the gospel, do not say 'God has a wonderful plan for your life.' Tell people, 'Jesus is worth dying for.'"

Those are powerful words. It is too often that my thoughts center on what God is doing for me. In America especially, we do not yet see the same type of violent persecution that our brothers and sisters do in other parts of the world. I have to emphasize the word "yet", because we are currently in an ideological battle that may lead to Christian persecution soon. It is true, God does have a wonderful plan for our lives, but it is much bigger and far more wonderful than my little perspective acknowledges. Father God, grant me a bigger perspective, because Jesus is the only one worthy of my dying and my living.

Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 8:28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.